New employee may of committed fraud

[ninamag]

We have taken on a new employee, I have had a google/ checked out her Facebook and it is quite possible that she has previously been charged with fraud. She has a very common first name and surname. How do I find out for sure?

Being charged with a crime does not mean that a person has been found guilty of a crime (UK)

The charges may also have been dropped before prosecution.

Did you take up references?

What is your policy on criminal charges (vs convictions)? Is she required to disclose it? Do you think the case is pending or was dropped, i.e. how long ago was this?

We took up references which checked out fine. A woman with her name, same amount of children and set up was charged with benefit fraud twice in three years. I cannot find photos in the press so how do I find out more.

Sorry just to add no she didn't disclose it and the last conviction was only 2 years ago.

Only way you will know for sure is to do a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) was the old CRB. You go on line to get the forms and she fills it out. You send it off with the necessary documents such as passport, utility bills etc.. This will tell you if she has had any convictions or cautions. This is the only way you will no for sure.

You mention charge in one post but conviction in another. Was the person in the press definitely convicted?

Is it relevant to the job, whether or not she has any convictions? I'm not sure how you're going to do a CRB check after employing her.

If she didn't need a clear DBS for the post, I'm not sure it can be relevant. There are laws to protect exoffenders from discrimination.

Is this relevant to the job or are you just judging her?

You can do a DBS any time during employment. I would assume that the application form had the section for criminal convictions OP? If she declared none and signed it then the OP discovers via DBS that the employee has a conviction then the OP can sack her for lying and not declaring it.

What were you hoping to find when you checked her out on FB and google? I'd be very careful here, given she has presumably already signed an employment contract.

I don't think you can "do a DBS on someone". That's not how it works now. The individual owns their DBS I think.

when is the first review due ? Can you have the application form there and ask her to confirm the info is correct ? You cannot do a DBS check without the person's knowledge and why are you doing google /FB checks now , do you have other reason to believe her untrustworthy ?

I presume you have asked her if she has any criminal convictions on the application form
if you did and you fond put that she has then surely that would be grounds for dismissal
how you find out whether she is lying or not I don't know
you can't do a drb on someone without their consent

What prompted you to check her FB and Google her after she had started work for you? I'n not sure how I personally feel about using those methods on prospective employees but I know lots of people do check social media etc nowadays - but they do it before offering the job! All you have done at this stage is create doubt in your mind which is very difficult to act upon - did something specific happen to make you check?

Short of asking her to declare any convictions on an application form or getting her to complete a DBS I don't think you can. That is part of the relationship between an employer & employee that both sides are open & honest.

As others have mentioned, is this relevant to her post? Why would you feel the need to check up on her?